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HERRIMAN — A 13-year-old girl says she fought off a man who tried to grab her while she was walking home from school Wednesday. Police are asking the public's help to find the man.
Police say the girl was walking north on 5600 West at about 13700 South around 3 p.m. Wednesday when she noticed a man headed east on a walking trail. The man then walked up to the girl, grabbed her by the arm and started to pull her and tell her that she needed to come with him. Police say the girl began kicking the man in the leg, eventually breaking his grip. She then ran for about four blocks while the man chased her.
Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police Department said, "The suspect chased her for about three blocks. As they were running west along 5600 West, the victim noticed there were some cars coming down, at which point the suspect chasing her stopped and ran off through a field about 140th South."
Anyone with information is asked to call 801-743-7000.
The girl continued running to a nearby friend's house and called for help.
Police searched for the man all afternoon but did not find him. Now they're hoping the public can help locate him.
The man is described as Caucasian, approximately 30 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with long dark hair that covers his eyes. Police say the left side of his face is drooped. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie, blue jeans and white tennis shoes with a blue emblem.
"Fortunately the victim is unharmed," Hoyal said. "She's home with her family safe and sound. With this situation, it's very emotional and very disturbing for anyone to go through something like this. So that's why we're asking for the public's help. We want this individual off the streets."
Several police officers kept a close eye on the students arriving at the Herriman Middle School Thursday, while others canvased the neighborhoods looking for any sign of the girl's attacker.
Police say they believe the attacker is dangerous- and they're not taking any chances.
"We want to make sure the children are safe as they're going to school, and ultimately (police) have the presence here to let this suspect know were looking for him," Lt. Hoyal said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 801-743-7000.
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